Americans in Italy: Applying for the digital nomad visa and working remotely from Italy

This was the news many would-be applicants had been waiting for. The new visa for remote workers was initially approved back in early 2022, to much excitement - but then languished for many months in the absence of any implementing rules. For a while it had seemed dead in the water.

American reader Suzanne told us last week: "I am super excited that this is finally an option. I have a well-established online career and have been waiting for two years for this visa to come into existence.”

While for Suzanne and many others this is positive news, there are still plenty of unanswered questions about how the new visa will work.

For one thing, the Italian government's new decree didn't specify a start date from which applications may be filed.

We know applicants will need to visit their nearest consulate (as with other types of visa, you can't usually apply in Italy if you're already here) but whether or not you're allowed to book an appointment to make your application for the digital nomad visa yet appears to depend on the consulate.

Last week, several of The Local’s readers around the US told us they had tried to book appointments. One reader in Philadelphia said they had been successful and have an appointment confirmed in May.

Italy is of course not the only country in Europe which now offers a 'digital nomad' visa - although we know that, for those with connections to (or just a particular love for) Italy, there will be no question as to where they'd prefer to move.

But there are some practical aspects to consider if you have your heart set on remote work in Italy. If you depend on 24/7 access to a high-speed internet connection to make a living, you may need to do some careful research before you land.

As our writer Silvia Marchetti pointed out in her article last week: "the trouble with the digital nomad visa is enclosed in the first word - ‘digital’.

"In the short term, unless investments are made in expanding high-speed coverage in Italy, nomads will find out that the connection in many areas is still very poor."

Silvia lives in the Lazio countryside, not far from Rome, where she says "I had to forsake all internet providers because there was simply no wifi infrastructure.

"I was forced to subscribe to Starlink, which is a satellite provider used by yachts and campers that constantly move around in isolated places like the sea, mountains, and canyons."

Perhaps a remote hilltop village or isolated farmhouse is not the most practical choice, then.

Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash

But even some of the locations you might expect to be convenient for online work - like the centre of a major city - may still have wifi speeds far slower than the average in most parts of the US.

OPINION: Italy’s new digital nomads should watch out for the wifi speeds

Many of Italy's international residents have reported problems with things like wifi speeds, as well as struggling to find coworking spaces or cafes that allow you to work from your laptop - though it all depends on which part of Italy you're in, and there are of course ways to work around these issues.

Often, it's just a case of knowing what to expect and being prepared before you arrive.

Have your say: If you'd like to share your opinion or tell us about an experience you've had while living in Italy, please leave a comment below this article or get in touch by email.